I remember the first time I grew my hair long was in high school. I was a member of the high school swim team and we would shave our legs and arms for the state championship to gain speed. Then as seniors, we decided to shave our heads as well. To this day, I am not sure if it was a physiological or psychological advantage, but it worked. We all swam faster. The second time I grew my hair long (interesting concept when your father is a United States Air Force Colonel, Retired) was in college. It worked for me in high school, so I decided I would not cut my hair until I completed my undergraduate. Truth be told, Gilgamesh served as a mentor. Upon graduating from the University of Kansas, I cut my hair May 1998.

My sister had been diagnosed with cancer the preceding fall, August 1997. After she passed away 15 month later, Monday, 5.16pm, November 23, 1998, I decided I would not cut my hair again until I had accomplished another life's goal. Unfortunately, I took me two years to set the goal. June 2003, after completing my Masters program and earning an MA in Spanish, I was ready for another hair cut. My mom asked if I had heard of Locks of Love. I hadn't. She explained what they do and I knew this was a perfect way to complete my goal. I drove with my mother to the closest participating saloon, Topeka, KS, and donated 14 inches of hair.

I think it was more difficult for my mother than Jan when Jan started losing her hair. She would grow her hair super long. I remember when she wanted to buzz it close because she was tired of dealing with it in her illness. I think Jan would really get a kick out of donating her hair if she could, but she can't. I can.